Capone has the Winners' List for the advanced Chicago screening of IMMORTALS!!!

Hey everyone. Capone here, with the list of winners for tickets to see the advanced screening of IMMORTALS on Thursday, November 10 at 7:00pm.

Those who entered and won will receive an email from me shortly with the details on the location of the screening. If you entered this contest and your name is on the list, but you did not receive an email, let me know and I'll get you the details.

Although the AICN seats are reserved, you must arrive at least 15 minutes before showtime or your seats will be given away. Please arrive early to make sure you get in and get a good seat.

I knew Tarsem had a great movie in him, he just needed the right script. I might actually check this out in theaters.
Supposedly it's actually quite different from 300, it has that similar sepia-tone feel (which was apparently something the studios pushed).

I saw a 3D screening of Tarsem Singh's "Immortals" a month ago in Century City. I wrote a pro and con list of the film and sent it to this site, but it didn't go up. I'm assuming it's because it's a bit long-winded and provides some plot details. Or because it's slightly negative. As a quick aside, I sent in the first "Kick-Ass" review last year into the site, which invited lots of "plant" accusations (because I said it was more "entertaining" than any previous comic book movie).
At any rate, here's a quick plot summary: Theseus, a mortal peasant/warrior who fears nothing, has been chosen by Zeus to overcome the armies of the genocidal King Hyperion. Hyperion is searching for the "Bow of Epirus," a super weapon that can unleash the evil Titans from their eternal prison, which will allow Hyperion to rule in a Godless world of chaos and pain.
Here's my PROS & CONS list:
PROS:
1. The VISUAL STYLE. The Production Design, Costume Design, Framing, Match Cutting, and overall "Mise-en-Scene" work to promote a visual experience akin to experiencing a dream, or a nightmare. I'm going to assume Tarsem Singh has read a few "dream interpretation" encyclopedias, or fancies himself a disciple of Freud and Dali, but he's damn good at painting the surreal world of the dream and the nightmare. This visual thematic is probably more obvious and plot-intrinsic in "The Cell" and "The Fall," but it works pretty well here as well. As one example, the opening shot (!!!!!SPOILER---->) showcases a group of imprisoned WARRIOR-TITANS (looking like LIVING DEAD STATUES in thick gray paint and ORNATE HEAD GEAR), standing in rows in a large GOLDEN CAGE, deep inside a giant pit. On closer inspection, they are all connected in neat rows by a bar placed in their mouths, as if they're playing in a sick game of human foosball. Coupled with the film's dark score, it's rather unsettling and awe-inspiring.
2. The SCORE. I can't describe in detail the score, but it had that eerie, thronging, epicness that I remember from "300." It's the same producers of "300," so I imagine this was intentional.
3. The ACTION. While some may complain that the myriad of slow-motion fight sequences borrow heavily from "300", or anything else from Zack Snyder, I won't complain because the sequences look great and fit for this kind of surreal yet brutal fantasy world. SPOILER: There's a rumble at the end between a horde of Demonic TITANS and Heavenly GODS; mostly shot in slow-motion. It's sort of necessary in this sequence, as these Immortals move with a speed, grace, strength and ferocity unmatched by man. The Flesh, Blood and Bone of the Divine can be seen tearing, spewing and splintering apart in a gloriously-violent carnival of eternal devastation. Gorgeousness and gorgosity made flesh.
CONS:
1. CONFUSING, LAZY PLOT & LACKLUSTER "HERO". A big obstacle I had with completely enjoying this fantasy spectacle was the vague and convenient nature of the plot and our hero's place in it. NOTE: I'm going to explain much of the first act, so SPOILER ALERT. It's just easier to explain how the script fails in the plotting department by describing how it all gets set up…
After a few visually dynamic scenes introducing us to the legendary plight of the Titans, the all-girl dream-harem of the Oracles, and the hellish army of King Hyperion, we're finally introduced to Theseus in a cliffside village on the sea. Sadly, we don't really ever get to know Theseus or what defines him. He carries around a spear, wears leather underwear, and only has two friends (his peasant mother, and a wise, old peasant man (John Hurt). So he's inexplicably both a lower-class peasant and a respected warrior, but it's not totally clear what he does or what he aspires to be. We just know that Zeus thinks this guy is swell, because he has no fear (or any other valid human emotion). Anyway, Greek soldiers quickly arrive to warn of an impending invasion by Hyperion, and only the village's wealthier class is allowed to evacuate. Theseus takes offense and is mocked, so tears into a rage and takes on several Village Guards and Greek soldiers. So far we know Theseus has a quick temper, skills in fighting, and has no fear. And that's all we ever get out of him from here on out. The storyline here on out also takes a turn for the slightly confusing & convenient (while heavily borrowing some "300" story beats, visual cues and even fight choreography). One of the disobediant Greek soldiers who fought Theseus is punished and stripped of his duties, so he cruelly slaughters a couple of his former mates and deserts to Hyperion's side (like the hunchback of "300"). Maybe there's some missing scenes with him, but I was hoping his character would have some kind of redemptive arc beyond being the requisite fantasy-adventure "traitor" (See "Boromir" for help). Theseus soon finds his village under siege by Hyperion's army, and is subdued after killing a score of soldiers in a kick-ass, "300" inspired display of spearmanship. Then they kill his mother. Note: none of this would have happened if our hero Theseus didn't have a tantrum and nearly kill the Greek soldier turned traitor. Rather than execute him, Hyperion sends Theseus to the mines to teach him more lessons in pain. The next scene has Theseus and a handful of prisoners being led by Hyperion soldiers into the Oracle's "secret, hidden" hut in a vast desert. And for some reason, nobody is surprised by this discovery or in any particular hurry to get these important Oracle Women back to Hyperion (considering they are the key to Hyperion's entire plan of finding his super-weapon and ruling the world). I'm guessing Hyperion got the information after torturing a Monk, but this is not completely clear. It's also not explained why Hyperion would combine a low-priority prisoner transfer with an all-important Oracle-finding mission? That would be like the Navy Seals escorting a group of Terrorists to Iraq, but making a quick stop in Pakistan to kill Osama Bin Laden. The Oracles stage a surprise attack on four unsuspecting guards (who conveniently all decided to get "rapey" with the Oracles at the same time) and they all escape. Theseus, joined by Stephen Dorff (playing a comic-relieving thief), the head Oracle, and a tongue-less Monk (who should have been the comic relief IMO) travel off in a sort of a zigzagging journey that takes them from one random plot point to the next. They need to find the "Bow of Epirus" superweapon before Hyperion does, but first they must go to a sea port to find a boat (where the water is comprised of black oil for no discernible narrative reason), but fail to defeat Hyperion's sailors. NOTE: If you PLANT a scene involving a Sea of Black Oil, then you better PAY OFF with something cool (i.e., FIRE-WAVES, MOLOTOV COCKTAILS, SELF-IMMOLATION, etc.). As they're about to be killed at this port, POSEIDON defies Zeus' orders and dives down to create a tidal wave (which miraculously only kills the bad guys). Theseus and crew, debating whether they were just saved via "Deus Ex Machina" or nature, then backtrack to Theseus' village to bury his dead mother (where Theseus conveniently finds the Bow of Epirus in a temple). But it's a trap! As our heroes get surrounded by Hyperion soldiers, Theseus clumsily drops the Bow of Epirus at the worst time possible, and it appears our heroes will have to do a 3 vs. 8 battle. Even without the bow, it seems like a plausible victory for Theseus, the Oracle and the Dorff, but we never find out. More GODS come down and bail them out again, but now in the most excessive representation of "Deus Ex Machina" ever imagined. Obviously the Gods need to play a role in a fantasy film that involves Gods and Titans in Greek Mythology, but these instances ultimately hurt the film in the manner and timing in which they occur. One of the more interesting recurring themes of the adventure is FAITH and BELIEF in the Gods. Theseus, for instance, does not believe in the Gods. And Hyperion believes in them, but hubristically doubts their ability to interfere with his treacherous warmongering. Once the Gods come down and save Theseus and his crew in 2 key action scenes, it immediately makes the hero's "Search for Faith" a moot point, while should be a huge blow to our villain's hubristic ego. How can our hero lose faith in his mission if the King of the Gods of the Universe is his biggest fan? And how can our villain calmly move forward in his war whilst knowing the Gods can come down at any moment and bitch-slap his body right off his head? Worse yet, Zeus actually had warned his fellow Gods that ANY interference in Theseus' journey, or in the affairs of any man, will mean SUMMARY DEICIDE (good band name). Yet, when they do interfere, Zeus lets this insubordination slide with a slap on the wrist (or a crack of his Fire Whip). So again, a PLANTED RULE or IDEA fails to PAY OFF. If Zeus really believes in Theseus, then obviously He should be letting this "chosen" mortal man complete his own story.
2. The CASTING.
HENRY CAVILL. He's decent enough, but he's missing some key qualities you need in your leading man/ blockbuster star of the future. While there's no official, objective index, I think there needs to be a certain mix of charisma, audacity, leadership presence, and humor for the star in any given action-adventure-fantasy (especially if he wants to go on and star in Jennifer Anniston romance-comedies and "edgy" thrillers down the line). Of course, Sam Worthington is the exception, not the rule.
STEPHEN DORFF. Nothing personal (who didn't love the Dorff's take as the angsty Spielbergian, suburban kid turned Stop-Motion-Demon-Hunter in "The Gate"?), but his late 90's American accent and subdued Christian Slater routine is a bit too hip and distracting in a world of British-sounding, Ancient Greeks. Also, when I see Dorff on screen, a voice literally screams, "DORFF!" in my head, which is also a little too hip and distracting. The Dorff really belongs in Science Fiction, Extreme Sports Action and Modern-Period Horror films. And only as the brooding and/or spoiled smartass who gets his comeuppance. Wesley Snipes can mouth the words, "what the f*ck?" all he wants, but this is the truth.
MICKEY ROURKE: Last but not least we have the miscasting of MICKEY ROURKE as King Hyperion. Again, the gruff, late-90's American accent doesn't work in a mythological fantasy-adventure where everyone else sounds a bit British (unless your name is Viggo and you've earned it). Aside from that, Mickey chews on fruit and nuts in almost every scene he's in. Literally. And sloppily. If you don't like watching people eat in movies, or if you are against inexplicable CLOSE-UPS of dripping fruit rinds as they are tossed away, then look away during his scenes. I would have preferred he chewed on the scenery instead, and maybe we would have gotten some energy and personality out of him. He looks really, really bored in this movie. And hungry.
3. The CHARACTERS. I was going to write a bunch here, but I'm tired of writing this whiny deconstruction and I need to look for a job, so I'll sum this up quick. Many characters here are shallow and devoid of meaningful motivation. Or they are pointless to the story. Theseus, as mentioned, is sort of a shell of a character, and it's hard to buy him as the man that Zeus would choose to "Save the World," or a man that can even lead other men, or seduce women, etc. When he tries to do a rallying speech to some troops at the end, it is almost cringe-inducing. STEPHEN DORFF (which I think is also his character name) is totally pointless. If he's a THIEF, then why is his trait not PAID OFF in the script? It would have been cool to see him use his mad hustle skills, or surprise us with some Aladdin/ Prince of Persia-style acrobatics. And if he's a comic relief, then why hire Stephen Dorff? The TONGUELESS MONK character could have been a chance to introduce some clever, "tongue-in-cheek" MIME-comedy, but to no avail. He's just a prop instead. Even Hyperion is a shallow villain with a confusing set of motivations. His wife and child somehow died out at sea, so he blames the Gods. Fine. But he also wants to kill or castrate every man, slaughter every pregnant woman, and rape every other woman on Earth (so his name and blood will live on eternally). Just seems a bit excessive, especially for such a bored, hungry man. If he was secretly worshipping Titans or something, or if he was tortured by the Gods in a bit more detail, it may help explain his pure madness, hatred and evil a bit more.
4. The inexplicable, jarring "STOMP! the Musical"-inspired RALLY-THE-TROOPS SPEECH near the end. I won't say anything more.
CONCLUSION:
I know I go a little hard on the plotting, casting and characterizations, but I still recommend people see this. Not only to see a great spectacle, but so we can make sure Tarsem gets more movie offers. I want to see how this guy will progress, and see what he can do with an amazing sci-fi or horror script, and with better casting agents. To me, it's like the new TRON: LEGACY. It was an entertaining spectacle, and most people enjoyed it. But it had detractors, and was not the type of fantasy film that will stand the test of time. Like Tron, Immortals has amazing special effects, wondrous cinematic visuals, ass-kicking action, and an epic score. Also like Tron, it has a protagonist/ star that's hard to fully engage with, an antagonist with confusing motivations, and an overly complicated plotline that relies on lengthy backstory/ exposition. So many of you will hate it. But watch it and judge for yourself.